Service Unit Operators, Oil, Gas, and Mining
Operate equipment to increase oil flow from producing wells or to remove stuck pipe, casing, tools, or other obstructions from drilling wells. May also perform similar services in mining exploration operations. Includes fishing-tool technicians.
AI Impact Summary
Service Unit Operators, Oil, Gas, and Mining faces low AI displacement risk with a score of 24/100. This occupation has higher AI displacement risk than 16% of all analyzed occupations. Of 20 analyzed tasks, 2 are highly automatable, particularly routine cognitive tasks. Strong protective factors — including social intelligence, creativity, or regulatory barriers — significantly reduce effective risk.
Skill Impact Analysis
AI-Vulnerable Skills (6)
High reliance on Mathematics is a risk area. Consider developing complementary AI-resistant skills to maintain value.
Reading Comprehension is AI-vulnerable but has moderate importance in this role. AI tools may handle this; focus on higher-value skills.
Information Ordering is AI-vulnerable but has moderate importance in this role. AI tools may handle this; focus on higher-value skills.
Mathematics is AI-vulnerable but has moderate importance in this role. AI tools may handle this; focus on higher-value skills.
Memorization is AI-vulnerable but has moderate importance in this role. AI tools may handle this; focus on higher-value skills.
Programming is AI-vulnerable but has moderate importance in this role. AI tools may handle this; focus on higher-value skills.
AI-Resistant Skills (11)
Leadership is AI-resistant — strengthening this skill provides durable career protection.
Adaptability/Flexibility is AI-resistant — strengthening this skill provides durable career protection.
Manual Dexterity is AI-resistant — strengthening this skill provides durable career protection.
Equipment Maintenance is AI-resistant — strengthening this skill provides durable career protection.
Complex Problem Solving is AI-resistant — strengthening this skill provides durable career protection.
Social Perceptiveness is AI-resistant — strengthening this skill provides durable career protection.
Instructing is AI-resistant — strengthening this skill provides durable career protection.
Coordination is AI-resistant — strengthening this skill provides durable career protection.
AI-Augmented Skills (7)
Recommended Courses
Courses matched to Service Unit Operators, Oil, Gas, and Mining skill gaps, ranked by relevance to your displacement risk profile.
Get personalized recommendations. Answer a few questions about your experience and skills to get course suggestions tailored specifically to you.
Upskill to Reduce Risk
Courses addressing your most AI-vulnerable skills
SQL Fundamentals Skill Track
by DataCamp
Estimated Impact
AI-Augmentation Tools
Learn to work alongside AI and boost your productivity
Cybersecurity Fundamentals Path
by Pluralsight
Estimated Impact
Strengthen Your Edge
Double down on skills AI can't replicate
Leading People and Teams Specialization
by University of Michigan
Estimated Impact
We may earn a commission when you enroll through our links, at no extra cost to you. This helps fund the Takeover Tracker.
Risk reduction and salary impact are estimates based on skill gap analysis, course relevance, and labor market data. Actual results vary by individual circumstance.
Education & Training
Percentage of workers at each education and training level
Education Level
Prior Experience Needed
Work experience required to enter this job
Training Provided After Hiring
How long it typically takes to learn on the job
How AI Impacts Each Task
20 tasks analyzed
Maintain and perform safety inspections on equipment and tools.
Operate controls that raise derricks or level rigs.
Listen to engines, rotary chains, or other equipment to detect faulty operations or unusual well conditions.
Prepare reports of services rendered, tools used, or time required, for billing purposes.
Install pressure-control devices onto wellheads.
Direct drilling crews performing activities such as assembling and connecting pipe, applying weights to drill pipes, or drilling around lodged obstacles.
Confer with others to gather information regarding pipe or tool sizes or borehole conditions in wells.
Operate pumps that circulate water, oil, or other fluids through wells to remove sand or other materials obstructing the free flow of oil.
Drive truck-mounted units to well sites.
Interpret instrument readings to ascertain the depth of obstruction.
Thread cables through derrick pulleys, using hand tools.
Select fishing methods or tools for removing obstacles such as liners, broken casing, screens, or drill pipe.
Apply green technologies or techniques such as the use of coiled tubing, slim-hole drilling, horizontal drilling, hydraulic fracturing, or gas lift systems.
Operate specialized equipment to remove obstructions by backing-off or severing pipes by chemical or explosive action.
Close and seal wells no longer in use.
Perforate well casings or sidewalls of boreholes with explosive charges.
Examine unserviceable wells to determine actions to be taken to improve well conditions.
Monitor sound wave generating or detecting mechanisms to determine well fluid levels.
Insert detection instruments into wells with obstructions.
Maintain and perform safety inspections on rigs, equipment, and other tools.
| Task | AI Capability | Risk | Time % | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Maintain and perform safety inspections on equipment and tools. | 0Estimated | 9.0% | 5% | |
| Operate controls that raise derricks or level rigs. | 35Estimated | 47.0% | 6% | |
| Listen to engines, rotary chains, or other equipment to detect faulty operations or unusual well conditions. | 60Estimated | 51.0% | 5% | |
| Prepare reports of services rendered, tools used, or time required, for billing purposes. | 92Estimated | 86.0% | 5% | |
| Install pressure-control devices onto wellheads. | 0Estimated | 9.0% | 6% | |
| Direct drilling crews performing activities such as assembling and connecting pipe, applying weights to drill pipes, or drilling around lodged obstacles. | 15Estimated | 21.0% | 8% | |
| Confer with others to gather information regarding pipe or tool sizes or borehole conditions in wells. | 30Estimated | 27.0% | 4% | |
| Operate pumps that circulate water, oil, or other fluids through wells to remove sand or other materials obstructing the free flow of oil. | 40Estimated | 49.0% | 8% | |
| Drive truck-mounted units to well sites. | 20Estimated | 17.0% | 5% | |
| Interpret instrument readings to ascertain the depth of obstruction. | 54.17Observed | 48.7% | 5% | |
| Thread cables through derrick pulleys, using hand tools. | 35Estimated | 47.0% | 4% | |
| Select fishing methods or tools for removing obstacles such as liners, broken casing, screens, or drill pipe. | 55Estimated | 49.0% | 5% | |
| Apply green technologies or techniques such as the use of coiled tubing, slim-hole drilling, horizontal drilling, hydraulic fracturing, or gas lift systems. | 5Estimated | 11.0% | 5% | |
| Operate specialized equipment to remove obstructions by backing-off or severing pipes by chemical or explosive action. | 0Estimated | 9.0% | 5% | |
| Close and seal wells no longer in use. | 35Estimated | 47.0% | 4% | |
| Perforate well casings or sidewalls of boreholes with explosive charges. | 0Estimated | 9.0% | 4% | |
| Examine unserviceable wells to determine actions to be taken to improve well conditions. | 60Estimated | 51.0% | 5% | |
| Monitor sound wave generating or detecting mechanisms to determine well fluid levels. | 92Estimated | 86.0% | 3% | |
| Insert detection instruments into wells with obstructions. | 40Estimated | 49.0% | 3% | |
| Maintain and perform safety inspections on rigs, equipment, and other tools. | 0Estimated | 9.0% | 5% |
Protective Factors
Total protective discount: 32.0%
Essential Soft Skills
Traits that are hard for AI to replicate
Wage & Employment (2024)
Median Wage
$57,980
per year
Mean Wage
$61,530
per year
Employment
44K
workers
Wage Range
$40,010 - $93,820
10th - 90th pct
Wage Distribution
Explore other career paths
Compare displacement risk across occupations and find careers with stronger long-term prospects.
Alternate Career Paths
See all transitionsTree Trimmers and Pruners
18%Median salary: $50,430
Higher risk than 4% of other occupations
Rail Car Repairers
20%Median salary: $65,680
Higher risk than 6% of other occupations
Excavating and Loading Machine and Dragline Operators
23%Higher risk than 13% of other occupations
Helpers--Extraction Workers
28%Median salary: $48,400
Higher risk than 29% of other occupations
Rotary Drill Operators, Oil and Gas
28%Median salary: $65,010
Higher risk than 31% of other occupations
Rail-Track Laying and Maintenance Equipment Operators
30%Median salary: $67,370
Higher risk than 38% of other occupations
Railroad Brake, Signal, and Switch Operators
38%Higher risk than 76% of other occupations
Separating, Filtering, Clarifying, Precipitating, and Still Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders
39%Median salary: $49,500
Higher risk than 78% of other occupations
Rolling Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic
42%Median salary: $48,630
Higher risk than 86% of other occupations
Gas Compressor and Gas Pumping Station Operators
43%Median salary: $71,510
Higher risk than 87% of other occupations
Sales Managers
25%Higher risk than 20% of other occupations
Chief Executives
26%Higher risk than 23% of other occupations
General and Operations Managers
28%Higher risk than 29% of other occupations
Marketing Managers
30%Higher risk than 38% of other occupations
Computer and Information Systems Managers
31%Higher risk than 45% of other occupations
Financial Managers
Recommendations
Skills to Develop
These skills are at risk from AI automation. Service Unit Operators, Oil, Gas, and Mining professionals should diversify beyond them.
- Mathematics
High reliance on Mathematics is a risk area. Consider developing complementary AI-resistant skills to maintain value.
- Reading Comprehension
Reading Comprehension is AI-vulnerable but has moderate importance in this role. AI tools may handle this; focus on higher-value skills.
- Information Ordering
Information Ordering is AI-vulnerable but has moderate importance in this role. AI tools may handle this; focus on higher-value skills.
- Mathematics
Mathematics is AI-vulnerable but has moderate importance in this role. AI tools may handle this; focus on higher-value skills.
- Memorization
Memorization is AI-vulnerable but has moderate importance in this role. AI tools may handle this; focus on higher-value skills.
Skills to Leverage
These human-centric skills remain difficult for AI to replicate. Double down here.
- Leadership
Leadership is AI-resistant — strengthening this skill provides durable career protection.
- Adaptability/Flexibility
Adaptability/Flexibility is AI-resistant — strengthening this skill provides durable career protection.
- Manual Dexterity
Manual Dexterity is AI-resistant — strengthening this skill provides durable career protection.
- Equipment Maintenance
Equipment Maintenance is AI-resistant — strengthening this skill provides durable career protection.
- Complex Problem Solving
Complex Problem Solving is AI-resistant — strengthening this skill provides durable career protection.
Tools to Adopt
AI can amplify these skills. Learn the tools that augment rather than replace your work.
- Critical Thinking
Critical Thinking will be enhanced by AI. Develop expertise in using AI tools for this skill to increase productivity.
- Monitoring
Monitoring will be enhanced by AI. Develop expertise in using AI tools for this skill to increase productivity.
- Judgment and Decision Making
Judgment and Decision Making will be enhanced by AI. Develop expertise in using AI tools for this skill to increase productivity.
- Active Learning
Active Learning will be enhanced by AI. Develop expertise in using AI tools for this skill to increase productivity.
- Writing
Writing will be enhanced by AI. Develop expertise in using AI tools for this skill to increase productivity.
Score History
Risk score over 2 scoring runs
overall change